Festive Fun in Caroline County: December 1st-7th 2021

Make your days merry and bright! Here are a few festive and fun ways to celebrate the holidays in Caroline County, Maryland this week!

• • Head to Ridgely to experience their Winterfest of Lights at Railroad Memorial Park. This magical light display is on view every evening now through January 3rd starting at 5pm. Walk through the illuminated park and on the Rails to Trails and stop at the “Selfie Stations” along the way! On Fridays and Saturdays, view the Christmas Train Garden in the Gingerbread House and enjoy hot cocoa and popcorn for sale to benefit local organizations. Find out more here. 

• • Get into the holiday spirit with marching bands, Santa and the best of the season at the Denton Holiday Parade & Lighting of the Green on December 2nd. Following the parade, watch the illumination of the Courthouse Green and enjoy a holiday musical performance. Find out more here. 

• • The Festival of Trees to benefit Compass in Caroline County returns this year for a weekend of holiday magic! The event will take place December 3rd – 5th at the Towers Family Historical Museum, 26299 Sennett Road, Denton, and proceeds will benefit hospice care, supportive care and grief support services in Caroline County. There will be a Preview Party on December 3rd from 6-9pm featuring heavy hor d’oeurves and cocktails, and tree viewing and bidding is open to the public December 4th & 5th. Preview Party tickets are $40/person.

• • Don’t miss Christkindlmarkt in downtown Denton this Friday, December 3rd from 5-9pm! This outdoor holiday market will feature locally-crafted gifts, Santa, carriage rides through downtown and more! Find out more here!

• • Come and enjoy the magic of Christmas at the Whoville Village Holiday Park, located at 13781 Greensboro Road in Greensboro! Have your picture taken with Santa, meet the Grinch, warm up with hot chocolate and cookies, and enjoy the Whoville Village attractions! This park will run every Friday and Saturday evening from 5-9pm from December 3rd through 18th.

• • The Caroline County Council of Arts is partnering with Craft Bakery & Cafe to offer a DIY Holiday Ornament class! Participants will make handmade gingerbread holiday ornaments.Bring the kids for their choice of one of the three festive shapes to decorate, plus some hot cocoa or warm local cider, and a fresh cookie. Hang the ornament on your tree or give it as a gift to a loved one to keep their space smelling merry & bright all month long. $10 per person. This event will be held at CRAFT Bakery & Cafe, 12 S 3rd St, Denton. Register online here.  There will also be a Gingerbread Holiday Ornament class at the Federalsburg Museum in partnership with the Federalsburg Historical Society on December 3rd from 4pm – 5:30pm before the town’s Tree Lighting. Spend the afternoon making ornaments then take a short walk up to the Triangle to enjoy holiday music, see Santa, have a few Christmas goodies and watch as the Federalsburg kicks off the holiday season. Free for children, $10 for participants ages 16+. Find out more here.

• • Head to Federalsburg to watch as the Christmas tree at the Triangle (West Central Avenue & Park Lane) is illuminated on December 3rd at 6pm! See Santa, listen to festive music and enjoy a few holiday goodies, For more information, follow the Town of Federalsburg’s Facebook page.

• • Celebrate the season at Outstanding Dreams Farm’s annual Holiday Open House on December 4th from 11am – 4pm. This event features farm tours, unique holiday gifts, a raffle, seasonal refreshments and more! Attendees will also have a chance to meet the growing herd of alpacas and learn about these wonderful animals. The farm is located at 24480 Pinetown Road in Preston. Find out more here. 

• • The Preston Historical Society invites you to their annual Christmas Open House at the museum, located at 167 Main Street in Preston on December 4th from 10am – 2pm.  Visit with Santa and enjoy the displays at this festive event. For more information call 410-943-1891 or visit PrestonHistoricalSociety.com.

• • Get into the holiday spirit at Ridgely’s Christmas Parade followed by a visit with Santa at the Ridgely Train Station on December 4th! The parade begins at Martin Sutton Park at 6:45 pm and ends at the Ridgely Train Station on West Railroad Avenue for pictures with Santa (bring your camera!) and refreshments.

• • Enjoy festive fun at the Sights & Sounds of Christmas at Camp Mardela December 4th from 5pm – 8pm! Enjoy live music, Christmas crafts, a raffle, Christmas characters, refreshments and more! Camp Mardella is located at 301 Deep Shore Road in Denton. Find out more here. 

• • The Fiber Arts Center of the Eastern Shore (FACES) invites you to their latest exhibit – The 2018 AQSG Quilt Study: 200 Years of Solid Color Quilts. Solid colors simplify design and clarify pattern and needlework. They draw attention to regional and international styles and to changing tastes. Don’t miss this striking exhibit, on view through the end of the year. FACES is open Wednesday – Saturday from 12pm – 4pm. Find out more at FiberArtsCenter.com.

• • Take a winter walk through Adkins Arboretum, a 400-acre nature preserve and native garden in Caroline County!

• • Support the small businesses in your community by shopping local this holiday season! Our downtowns are full of wonderful shops where you can find unique, one-of-a-kind gifts.